Many Canadians have health insurance coverage that offers some form of dental benefits. Unfortunately, too many of us do not use all of our available dental insurance benefits, thereby leaving our "dental dollars" on the table. Use these tips to make sure you squeeze everything that you can out of your dental plan!

Many of us have some understanding that poor oral health can result in health problems. However, what is not commonly known is the serious gravity of health problems that can result from not taking care of our teeth via dental care. For example, did you know that there is a proven link between rheumatoid arthritis and gum disease?

The Canadian healthcare system has been receiving extra scrutiny since the USA launched the Affordable Care Act. But how does the Canadian healthcare system actually work? Read on for a concise, easy-to-follow summary of the Canadian single payer healthcare system.

Companies (especially small to medium size business, or SMBs) should consider personal health insurance plans as a cost-effective alternative to traditional employee benefits when it comes to offering workers health and dental benefits.

How Dental Problems Can Affect Your Overall Health

Many Canadians overlook the importance that oral health plays in maintaining their health. However, dental problems are more than just a cosmetic problem. Cavities and gum disease, left untreated, can lead to more serious health issues, such as heart disease, respiratory disease, diabetes and in the case of pregnant women, underweight babies. Poor oral health has also been linked to sleeping problems. Children who suffer from certain oral problems are also at risk of behavior and developmental problems. If a person cannot chew their food properly, or has to avoid certain foods due to pain and discomfort, there is a risk of not getting the proper nutrition.

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums. This can not only affect the teeth and gums, but the bone supporting the teeth. Plaque that is not removed by daily brushing and flossing can harden into tartar and contribute to gum infections. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and strokes. Bacteria from plaque can travel from the mouth into the bloodstream, and has been linked to clogging of arteries, as well as damage to heart valves. It can also travel into the lungs, causing infections or aggravating existing lung conditions. People with diabetes are more at risk for contracting gum disease, which then puts them at greater risk for diabetic complications.

Women who are pregnant need to be vigilant about their oral health. Recent studies have indicated that gum disease in pregnant women raise the risk of premature babies with low birth weight, which in turn elevate the risk for later problems, including developmental complications, asthma, behavioral difficulties, and a higher risk of infant death.

If you are a smoker, you should be aware that smoking tobacco reduces blood flow to the gums. This means that your gums are not getting the oxygen and proper nutrients that they need to stay healthy. This increases your risk of bacterial infections. Smoking has also been linked to oral cancer. If you are a smoker, it is essential that you visit your dentist regularly.

Seniors are also high risk due to the fact that many are keeping their teeth longer. Seniors who still have their own teeth may have less access to dental services due to living on a fixed income, which may not make visiting their dentist regularly affordable. For those seniors residing in long-term care facilities, frailty, poor health and dependence on others make them especially vulnerable. Many minor dental problems may go unnoticed until they escalate and the senior is complaining of pain and discomfort. For those in poor health already, these infections may pose a serious health threat.

It is therefore recommended by Health Canada that Canadians visit their dentist regularly. Regular checkups and cleanings are the best way to prevent oral health problems, or stop minor problems from escalating into major health problems. For children, it is important to learn at an early age how to properly care for their teeth, and a dentist can spot potential problems that will affect them later in life.

Health Insurance Plans and Dental Coverage

For those who do not go to the dentist regularly because of the expense, dental coverage may be an affordable option. Coverage can be obtained with or without a medical questionnaire, depending on your needs.

HealthQuotes.ca offers FlexCare, which has provisions for DentalPlus. This comes with Core Benefits, and the option of either the Basic or Enhanced Plan. The Basic plan covers fillings, cleaning, scaling, examinations, polishing and certain extractions, with recall visits every 9 months. No medical questionnaire is needed, and acceptance is guaranteed. The Enhanced Plan is the same, with the added benefit of most extractions being covered, and recall visits every 6 months. The Enhanced Plan also has benefits that in the second year of coverage allow for oral surgery, periodontics and endodontics. Year three of your coverage allows for orthodontics, crowns, bridges and dentures.

FollowMe offers basic dental services, such as exams, cleanings, fillings, scaling, polishing, root planning, diagnostic and denture services. The Enhanced Plan offers endodontics and periodontics, and the Premiere Plan offers the same along with crowns, bridges, dentures and orthodontics.